Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Democratic base

Atrios asked an interesting question last
night. How many democratic pundits identify themselves
as the base? Among those who would identify themselves with
the base, how many would be disowned by the party
leadership?

Michael Moore springs to mind -- he's unapologetically
grass-roots liberalism at its sartorial shabbiest. But can
you imagine Harry Reid sitting down for an interview with
Moore?

Al Franken is a rising voice on the left, but he's an
avowed DLC Democrat. At least he was while Rush Limbaugh was
a Big, Fat Idiot. Franken speaks to the base daily -- but
does he speak for and as the base?

Take a look at our local scene. Would Nick Coleman
identify himself with the Democratic base? Even if he would,
would Janet
Robert have let him proclaim such a thing on the
air?